To delve into another’s mind is to revel in the depths of truth
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Carnal Whispers: Mind Stalker
Carnal #3
Reily Garrett
Releasing July 11th, 2016
To delve into another’s mind is to revel in the depths of truth, cringe in the face of past and imagined horrors, and suffer their dreams, all while searching for balance and serenity.
Daniele is a mysterious, gentle, and loyal young woman harboring knowledge capable of destroying millions. Thumbing her nose at fate, she hides in plain sight while concealing her extraordinary talent, enduring isolation despite her fantasies of a normal life.
Daniele is a mysterious, gentle, and loyal young woman harboring knowledge capable of destroying millions. Thumbing her nose at fate, she hides in plain sight while concealing her extraordinary talent, enduring isolation despite her fantasies of a normal life.
Marc, owner of the BDSM club, Ambrosia, is determined to protect the elusive beauty stalked by a psychopathic killer. Hidden underneath her vulnerability, he senses a courage and determination forged from horrific circumstances. While adapting unique scenes to free her from fear and low self-esteem, he strives to stay one step ahead of a branch of the government answering to no one.
Each must rely on the other to survive a world where betrayal and deception, desire and trust, weave a fabric that threatens their sanity.
“No. I'm afraid you just missed her, but I can
schedule you for Monday morning if that's all right.” Though handsome, his
blatant interest didn't stir the heart-fluttering, chaotic beat associated with
Marc’s presence.
“Sure, darlin’. What time is good for you?” Leaning
over the bi-level counter allowed him visual access to her organized space.
“Ah…I see you read erotic romance. I have a sister that writes for a large, New
York publisher.”
Oh hell. Her fingers couldn't move fast enough to hide the
book's cover, a leather-clad man handcuffing his naked woman’s upper arms
behind her back in front of a spanking bench. In her haste to hide the cover,
she inadvertently skid the book off the counter, landing several feet to Marc’s
side. Where else would it land?
His swift reflexes resulted in scooping up the
offending material. After a quick glance at the cover, his head tilted back and
forth, as if judging the merits of the scene depicted and finding it lacking in
some specific way. Something inside her dictated he’d return the book—for a
price.
Fiery heat blazed up her neck to engulf her face,
becoming an inferno worthy of a three-alarm fire. His shaking shoulders did
nothing for her composure. Yeah, and he
owns the BDSM club thirty miles away.
“How about Monday morning at ten-thirty. Uh, your
name, sir?” After fumbling the appointment card twice, she placed it on the
counter and grabbed the nearby pen. Panic became a palpable pressure in her
chest. Perspiration dotted her forehead and spine between her shoulder blades.
“Clayton Hutson and that sounds great, darlin’.
I'll see you then…unless you'd let me take you to dinner tonight.”
“Sorry, Mr. Hutson, I’m busy tonight.” I think I’ll just call you slick.
“Well, how about lunch tomorrow?”
Something in his distinct and intense scrutiny now
scared her shitless, a foreboding she hadn’t endured for three years. The
prickling along her nape and arms never happened randomly. Blood drained from
her face to leave her shaken at the sight of his rough hands on the counter,
calloused hands that could wield a garrote with expertise. Could he be the serial killer responsible for the recent murders?
The
fact he stood before her, overshadowing and transmitting such bad vibes ensured
she wouldn't feel safe for a long time, even if he just saw her as a sexual
conquest.
Under normal circumstances, discerning someone's
goals amounted to a simple exercise, whether honest or nefarious, but Marc's
overwhelming effect on her mindset obliterated her ability to pick up slick's
intentions.
A suggestive throat clearing transferred her
attention back to Marc, whose demeanor revealed no evidence of his earlier
carefree banter. “No, Hutson. She's with me.” His expression lost all signs of
levity as he crowded closer to her workspace, edging the other man out. “I'll
pick you up at ten a.m., Dani. Okay?” Darius's combination whine-growl elicited
a like response in the other dog. Each shepherd’s attunement to his master’s
emotions came as no surprise.
Hutson’s face broadcast a tangle of warning signs
she’d label aggressive if expressed in canine form, non-blinking, direct eye
contact, dilated pupils, hardened jaw, and a predator’s grin.
Her
well-planned intentions evaporated like seawater meeting magma, the haze
forming smothered the intricate workings of her mind. At this point, mangled
words were a useless commodity. She merely nodded.
“Right then. Have a good day, Mr. Hutson.” Marc's
conspicuous dismissal earned him a groan and insincere apology.
“Sorry, man. Didn't know she was taken. It’s not as
if she's wearing a ring or collar. Nice dog by the way. I watched him track in
his first trial. Good nose in bad weather and difficult cover.” His calculating
gaze bore into Marc as if gauging the likelihood of winning a dirty, no-holds-barred
fight; his shark’s grin hid nothing.
Hutson’s departure allowed Dani to draw a slow
lungful of toxin-purging air. “Thank you, Marc. He made me a bit nervous for
some reason.”
“Welcome. Any time. He kicked my sixth sense into
overdrive, too. You all right? You turned white as a sheet. Do you know him
from somewhere?” Darius whined and chuffed, pulling on his leash until Marc let
go. “What's up, boy? You never misbehave…”
Barreling around the counter to rub against her
thigh, Darius’ chest rumbled when Dani buried her face in the long hair at his
neck. “Aw, sweetie. It's all right. You're such a good boy.” His fur smelled of
oatmeal and vanilla shampoo, the same she used with dog baths in the office.
“I’ve never seen that guy before, but he gave me the creeps.”
“We'll hang around until you leave.” More a command
than offer, his statement, along with his expression, brooked no argument.
“Thanks. Something about him…” The soft fur against
her cheek imbued a soothing calm, unattainable through any other means.
“Yeah, me too. Anyway, about tomorrow, give me your
address and I'll pick you up.”
“Oh. I thought you just said that to get me off the
hook with Hutson. You really don't need to bother.” Miles of blood vessels
conveyed scorching, liquid heat blazing a trail up her neck and across her
face. Intervention via reality proved to be a bitch. She stood no chance
holding her own with this man turned demi-god.
“No trouble at all. That way I can check and make
sure you’re all right.”
“How 'bout I meet you there.” The less information
she gave a man like this, the better. Dangerous in his own way, Marc Crofton
embodied thoughts of lust, dreams of bondage, large wooden X’s, and unspeakable
toys wringing out mind-blowing sensations. Like
any man would want a girl like me.
“Ahh…I look forward to earning your trust. Perhaps
after a day at the trials, you'd join me for dinner.” He didn’t just set the
book down on her workspace, no, he had to make a meal of it, placing it
conspicuously then patting the cover.
“Oh, I-I don't eat dinner. Well, um, I eat dinner
but not on weekends. No. Actually, I don't go out on weekends…Well, I go out….”
Any minute, tears of humiliation would stain her cheeks. “I don't date.” Crap, just shoot me now.
“That’s fine. I'm not ready for a date, either.
Good thing we cleared that up. We'll just grab a bite to eat. I'd hate to keep
you out all day and return you home tired and hungry, very bad manners.” The
look in his gaze spoke of insatiable appetites, steamy, erotic, raw nights
filled with breathless screams and creative, salacious undertakings. Carnal
whispers filtered through her mind, encouraged by her rich imagination and
curious nature to form a solid wall of longing buffeted by her long-suffering,
low self-esteem.
Reily’s employment as an ICU nurse, private investigator, and work in the military police has given her countless experiences in a host of different environments to add a real world feel to her fiction.
Though her kids are her life, writing is Reily’s life after. The one enjoyed…after the kids are in bed or after they’re in school and the house is quiet. This is the time she kicks back with laptop and lapdog to give her imagination free rein.
In life, hobbies can come and go according to our physical abilities, but you can always enjoy a good book. Life isn’t perfect, but our imaginations can be. Relax, whether it’s in front of a fire or in your own personal dungeon. Take pleasure in a mental pause as you root for your favorite hero/heroine and bask in their accomplishments, then share your opinions of them over a coffee with your best friend (even if he’s four legged). Life is short. Cherish your time
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